Tacobout Tasty Tacos in Chicago

by The OpenTable Team

Updated January 15, 2020

As the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago reigns when it comes to world-class museums and award-winning steakhouses. Tacos have also become a favorite in this lakeside city, from fancy eateries to mom-and-pop taquerias. But where are the Windy City's most discerning diners heading out to when they want to experience the best tacos in Chicago? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. Here, we've gathered data from thousands of in-the-know diners to pick out a list of the top taco restaurants in Chicago. Grab a reservation at these top taco restaurants!

Kama Bistro

4.8

4.8 (1374)

$31 to $50

Indian

La Grange

About the restaurant

This highlight Indian restaurant in nearby La Grange features some of the best tacos in Chicago. The "crossover" cuisine at Kama includes a wide array of experimental standout dishes. Try the "Ameri Kama" fusion menu for the taco favorites. The chicken vindaloo tacos include spicy chicken breast and pickled Thai peppers harissa. Pork belly tacos are tandoor grilled with Tamarind barbecue sauce and apple chutney. Fish tacos boast grilled, fresh mahi-mahi with a tomato ginger sauce. For another crossover option, try the chicken tikka sandwich with grilled chicken breast and mint chutney.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

A very memorable dining experience. Incredible flavors in fish and beef.

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Popular dish

Kama Lobster Bisque

Popular dish

Chicken Tikka Harissa

Popular dish

Chicken Tikka Harrisa

TallBoy Taco

4.3

4.3 (85)

$30 and under

Mexican

Chicago

About the restaurant

This hip spot in River North is a neighborhood favorite with some of the best tacos in Chicago. Start with the fresh guacamole with hand-made chips. Tacos feature made-by-hand corn tortillas. Go for the "Pancho Villa" steak carne asada, with skirt steak and fire-roasted corn. Crispy veggie avocado tacos feature Lagunitas beer-battered avocado and pico de gallo. The ropa vieja taco includes braised flank steak, lettuce, and green olive chimichurri. For a hearty taste, try the grilled skirt steak and papas tacos with crispy potatoes and house hot sauce.

Top review

JuanitaGvip

Dined on Mar 12, 2020

Music was a bit loud for being nearly empty. Hard to hear across the table

Broken English Taco Pub-Lincoln Park

4.5

4.5 (373)

$30 and under

Mexican

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

The Lincoln Park outpost of these celebrated Mexican spots features some of the best tacos in Chicago. Step into this authentically-decorated hangout spot for a cold beer and a selection of excellent tacos. Try the carnitas taco, with confit of pork, salsa verde, and cilantro. Camarones tacos include marinated shrimp with pickled onion and epazote mayo. A fried chicken taco delivers a spicy kick with ghost pepper mayo and smoked cabbage slaw. Pair the tacos with one of the Broken English house margaritas or rose sangria.

Top review

CaitW

Dined on Nov 11, 2023

The chocolate-stuffed churros and fried chicken tacos were great.

Broken English Taco Pub-Old Town

4.5

4.5 (321)

$30 and under

Mexican

Old Town

About the restaurant

On Wells Street in Old Town, the Broken English Taco Pub delivers a colorful and creative selection of tacos and refreshing libations. Grab a cold lager beer or a pitcher of margaritas and pair them with some of the best tacos in Chicago. Try the chorizo con huevos taco, a mixture of spicy Mexican sausage with a fresh egg scramble and poblano pepper. "Calabazas" tacos include braised squash, guajillo salsa, Cotija cheese, and cilantro. Another favorite is the picadillo taco, with ground beef, zucchini, chile Morita, and lime yogurt.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Nov 26, 2023

great atmosphere and tacos, highly recommended for good food, fun, atmosphere.

TAO Asian Bistro - Chicago

4.5

4.5 (2728)

$31 to $50

Asian

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

In the middle of Chicago's blossoming Ontario neighborhood, TAO Chicago features an intriguing Modern Asian menu of cuisine. Look to their specialties menu to try the yellowtail poke tacos, with soy vinaigrette and spicy sour cream. Pair them with the tuna "pringles," with truffle aioli, egg, and tomato. Specialty rolls include crunchy spicy yellowtail with crushed onion, an "angry dragon" with eel and kabayaki sauce, and surf and turf with lobster salad and sesame chimichurri. For sides, go for the Asian green stir fry with pea shoots and Chinese broccoli leaves.

Top review

JimP

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

We go for the soothing atmosphere and the great tastes. It is very expensive but worth it for the special occasions.

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4.7

4.7 (2540)

$31 to $50

American

River West

About the restaurant

Head into the Fulton River District to grab a table and a meal at The Dawson. This fun, engaging restaurant includes some of the best cocktails and the best tacos in Chicago. Try the duck carnitas tacos, with duck leg, Guajillo crema, bloomed mustard seed, and grilled naan. Texas redfish tacos come grilled on the wood fire with guacamole, charred tomato salsa, and pico de gallo. Along with dinner, grab one of the local Chicago beers from Revolution or Buckledown. Diners can also grab one of the on-draft cocktails, like the G.T.O. with gin, bonal, thyme, and grapefruit.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Food and ambiance was amazing. Great finish to our holiday weekend in Chicago.

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Mistletoe & Mischief Holiday Pop-Up

Bar Cargo

4.5

4.5 (423)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

This super-cool modern Chicago location in River North blends two of the fastest-growing dining concepts out there: Roman-style pizza and tacos. Start the meal with the taco appetizer, steak tacos with avocado, cilantro, white corn tortillas, and pico de gallo. After that, try one of the hearty Roman-style pizzas made with a custom, imported Roman flour blend. Cooked in a Roman oven, these pizzas include versions like the "Cargo Combo," with sausage, salami, meatball, pancetta, and mozzarella. The "Cargo Garden" features bell peppers, onions, zucchini, eggplant, and mozzarella.

Top review

BHDorseyvip

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

New Years Day brunch - buffet was great and love the usual bottomless drink specials! Always a blast at Bar Cargo!

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Popular dish

Fried Calamari

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